Putin Embraces Conservatism With Cursing Ban in Movies, Theater

May 6 (Bloomberg) -- President Vladimir Putin, cast in
Russia as a defender of conservative values, is imposing a ban
on swearing in Russian movies, music and books, seeking to
suppress a form of profanity-laden slang known as “mat.”

Putin yesterday signed a law introducing fines of up to
2,500 rubles ($70) for individuals and $1,400 for organizations
for cursing in public performances, including on television and
in theater. Copies of books, CDs and movies containing swear
words will carry warning labels, while new productions and
movies won’t be granted distribution licenses, according to a
copy of the legislation posted on a government website.

Putin, who’s facing the worst standoff with the West since
the Cold War, has embraced a more conservative ideology as he
seeks to thwart the spread of the Western ideas, which he blames
for fomenting dissent against his rule. Last year, Putin stoked
international ire by signing laws banning the adoption of
Russian-born children by foreign gay couples and blocking
distribution of information on “non-traditional sexual
relations” to minors.

The Institute of Russian Language at the Russian Academy of
Sciences last year complied a list of four words that constitute
swearing: “two depict male and female reproductive organs, one
describes the process of copulation and the last refers to a
promiscuous woman,” the Moscow Times said yesterday.